An outstanding all-round sporting career in the Devonport region has come to a close with the passing of Neil Febey on Monday in Melbourne.

Memorable Magpie: Neil Febey in action for Devonport during his playing days, where he played 232 games between 1958-1974.

Febey primarily made his name with his deeds on the football field for his beloved Devonport Football Club, where he played a then club-record 232 senior games between 1958-1974.

Adept at both ends of the ground, Febey kicked 242 goals in the number seven jumper and won the Magpies best and fairest award in 1969 during a lean period for the club in terms of on-field success, and was later made a life member of the club.

Former club president Shane Yates said he remembers Febey well as a young boy going to the football.

“Neil was my first boyhood hero at the club and I remember many days sitting inside the fence at the Oval roaring out my support,” Yates said on the Magpies facebook page.

“Neil was a true gentleman in every way and it was an honour to have met him and his family.

“He was a club legend, great clubman and highly respected by all on and off the field.”

During the summer months, Febey showed off his talents on the cricket field.

He played 72 games with Devonport in a career that spanned 11 seasons, collecting two premierships along the way.

Playing as a batsman, Febey carved out a total 1637 runs at an average of 24.80, along with five wickets and 55 catches, and took out the Coastal batting averages in the 1968-69 season with 353 runs at an average of 50.30.

Teammate Harold Allen said Febey was a reliable member of the side.

“He was a pretty solid opening batsman, not too flamboyant, and a pretty handy fielder as well,” he said.

“We went through high school together and played cricket and Neil would have played in Devonport High’s state premiership winning team two years in a row.”

Febey will also be fondly remembered for helping raise his three children, who also made a name for themselves with their sporting exploits.

Twin sons Matthew and Steven both enjoyed successful football careers at the Melbourne Football Club after starting at Devonport, and have since been inducted into the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame.

Daughter Tracy played for the now-defunct Hobart Islanders in the Women’s National Basketball League, where she won a premiership in 1991, before ending her career with the Melbourne Tigers.

Febey and his wife Pat, who was also a Tasmanian softball representative, moved over to Melbourne in 1994 to be closer to the children and watch their development.